Work Streams

Property Working Group chairs

Laurie Weir
Senior Portfolio Manager, CalPERS Global Real Estate

Laurie Weir joined CalPERS Global Real Estate Investment Office in May 2007. Ms Weir currently manages a $11 billion NAV portfolio focused on Core, Urban, and Hospitality investment strategies. Ms. Weir also leads policy and program development for environmental, affordable and workforce housing, emerging manager, and responsible contractor initiatives. Previously Ms Weir served as Deputy Treasurer in the California State Treasurer’s Office. She was responsible for the oversight of finance authorities that allocate public funds, issue bonds, and provide advisory services to California’s business, development, and finance communities. Ms Weir also served on the Board of Directors of the California Housing Consortium. Also at the Treasurer’s Office, Ms Weir served as Executive Director of the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee overseeing the allocation of State’s $3 billion annual tax-exempt bond allocation. Prior to the State Treasurer’s Office, Ms Weir was the Finance Manager for the City of Los Angeles Housing Department. Laurie also headed the Bond Finance and Architectural Units for the Housing Department. Laurie was appointed to the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission and received awards from the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office and the California State Legislature.

Andy Szyman
Head of Sustainability at F&C REIT Asset Management

Andy Szyman is Head of Sustainability at F&C REIT Asset Management and leads the company’s responsible property investment strategy. Born in Manchester in 1960 to post-war Polish immigrants, he has gained extensive experience in building construction, refurbishment and management with Imperial Chemical Industries, British Railways and Sun Alliance Insurance Group.

In 1996, with Royal & Sun Alliance Investments, he assumed responsibility for property compliance matters - developing, implementing, and co-ordinating policy and strategy on a wide range of issues including health and safety, disability discrimination, asbestos management, property insurance, and environmental issues, and he continues to focus on green aspects within the commercial property investment space.

Andy typifies the modern 21st century employee, having effectively sat at the same desk for over 20 years whilst operating under different manifestations and components of the same company. He is based in London.

Andy is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the International Institute of Risk & Safety Managers.